I love to have conversations with my grandsons. Little Hunter is a real story teller. After his big brother, Trevor, relates a happening in his life, Hunter always follows with his own version of the same story or of a different situation. I try never to be too busy to listen. I respond in conversation and use these times to teach life lessons when I can.
A few days ago Hunter told me that “God’s team is bigger than Satan’s team”. “God’s team has the sword of faith. When we are on God’s team, someday, we will be in Heaven with Him and the whole team.” He told me that Nanna, his great grandmother, is with God in Heaven. Nanna died recently. She was 93 years old and is his dad, Trevor’s grandmother. He has been listening to conversations at home. He was able to figure this out in his little innocent, uncluttered mind. This is an example of the childlike faith that God wants us to come to Him with. He also told me that we really don’t know what heaven looks like. We only know a little bit, things that God said in the Bible. As Hunter seeks, he will find more answers and continue to grow in his faith. Faith is God’s free gift to each of us. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Hunter hears about God at home, in Sunday School, and at Vacation Bible School. God will grow his faith. No one is ever too old to seek and find but when we do, we should never stop growing in our faith and our knowledge of the Lord. He has a plan for each of us.
I wish that I could relate the story in Hunter’s little adorable four year old voice and word pronunciations and have you see his serious facial expressions. It is more than precious! Tears come to my eyes just thinking about it.
I asked him, “How do we tell other people about Jesus?” He said, “We can write it down and send it to people”. I told him that is what I have been doing. He doesn’t know what a blog is but I explained to him that I have been writing about how I love Jesus and about things that He teaches me. I want him and Trevor to learn how to read so they can read my words. I want to share my faith with them and with everyone I love. I want all of us to be on God’s team so we can be together throughout eternity as promised in the scriptures.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam
I am back in Pennsylvania and am doing one of my favorite things; spending time with my two precious grandsons. It is so important for me to be active in their lives and for them to be a part of my life. They are my legacy; my love and life will continue on through them. Erica is returning to her teaching profession. Since returning to Allentown I have been helping her with the children while she is setting up her classroom and going to meetings at Swain Independent School. The children will be starting at Swain this coming week. Trevor will be in the First grade and Hunter in Pre-k.
While putting Hunter in for a nap a few days ago we were talking and reading books. One of the books was, “Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam”. This bright yellow children’s picture book was based on a song which I learned as a child and sang with my children when they were small. The words are as follows:
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam, a sunbeam, a sunbeam, to shine for Him each day;
In every way try to please Him, at home, at school, at play;
A sunbeam, a sunbeam, Jesus wants me for a sunbeam, Jesus wants me for a sunbeam.
A sunbeam, a sunbeam, I’ll be a sunbeam for Him,
Jesus wants me to be loving, and kind to all I see;
Showing how friendly and happy His little one can be.
I’ll be a sunbeam for Jesus, It’s easy if I try;
Serving Him moment to moment, then live with Him on high.
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam, I’ll be a sunbeam for Him.
The words of this song are based on words from The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. In verses 14-16, Jesus said, “You are the light of the world- like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see………In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father”. Jesus is the light of the world. As believers, His light shines through us and we reflect His light through our lives. We become His sunbeam and His radiance. As we serve Him, we glorify Him. I am a sunbeam for Jesus. Jesus and I want my grandsons to be sunbeams for Him too.
As I rocked Hunter before his nap, I told him that rocking him to sleep made me think about how much I loved to do the same when his mommy, Erica, and his Aunt Christa were little like him. It was as special to me then as it is now. I am so glad to have a new little sunbeam to hold, talk to, and rock to sleep.
Thank you Jesus for my family. Thank you Jesus for my grandsons.
While putting Hunter in for a nap a few days ago we were talking and reading books. One of the books was, “Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam”. This bright yellow children’s picture book was based on a song which I learned as a child and sang with my children when they were small. The words are as follows:
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam, a sunbeam, a sunbeam, to shine for Him each day;
In every way try to please Him, at home, at school, at play;
A sunbeam, a sunbeam, Jesus wants me for a sunbeam, Jesus wants me for a sunbeam.
A sunbeam, a sunbeam, I’ll be a sunbeam for Him,
Jesus wants me to be loving, and kind to all I see;
Showing how friendly and happy His little one can be.
I’ll be a sunbeam for Jesus, It’s easy if I try;
Serving Him moment to moment, then live with Him on high.
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam, I’ll be a sunbeam for Him.
The words of this song are based on words from The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. In verses 14-16, Jesus said, “You are the light of the world- like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see………In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father”. Jesus is the light of the world. As believers, His light shines through us and we reflect His light through our lives. We become His sunbeam and His radiance. As we serve Him, we glorify Him. I am a sunbeam for Jesus. Jesus and I want my grandsons to be sunbeams for Him too.
As I rocked Hunter before his nap, I told him that rocking him to sleep made me think about how much I loved to do the same when his mommy, Erica, and his Aunt Christa were little like him. It was as special to me then as it is now. I am so glad to have a new little sunbeam to hold, talk to, and rock to sleep.
Thank you Jesus for my family. Thank you Jesus for my grandsons.
Friday, August 20, 2010
We Seek, God Reveals, We Respond
When we search for God, we will find Him. Each of us has a hole or void within our being. As we seek to fill this emptiness, we tend to look in all of the wrong places.
Youth, idealism, temporary pleasure, and striving for lofty goals lead us into shallow successes. External happiness is experienced for awhile but doesn’t last.
Frequently we don’t even realize we have this internal need to investigate a deeper purpose for our existence until something or someone in our life has gone away. Humanly, we take for granted people and things we have in our lives, believing that they will always be there. Things or even people in our lives aren’t there forever.
As young men and women we depend on peers, activities, successes, and life around us to be, or to contribute to our personal happiness. When one depends on others or on circumstances for happiness, the happiness is only a fleeting reality.
Disappointments cause us to question ourselves, our goals, and our life purposes. Living life teaches us not to take ourselves so seriously. We learn how to laugh at ourselves and at our actions. When we finally begin searching for true meaning and value in our lives we realize that happiness is internal. We are responsible for our own happiness. We can be responsible for the care and comfort of others but we cannot be responsible for someone else’s happiness. Once we understand this, especially when we are dealing with difficult people in our lives, we are freed from a lot of pressure.
When striving and external pressures are lifted and when we are emptied of what we thought was important, we hopefully seek that which is important. Now God has the opportunity to fill us with Himself and things of value. As we seek, we will find. This He has promised to us in His Word.
How does God reveal Himself to us? We see Him in the beauty of His creation. His art work is magnificent. An artist creates his art. The Creator has created His creation. Contrary to what some would have you believe; we, and the world around us, are not mutations. God’s plan and design are perfect. We are fearfully and wonderfully made!
God has spoken to me in a rainbow around the moon in New Mexico. He made Himself known to my family and me in a falling star as we left church after a Christmas Eve service. He spoke to my heart in the chirping song of a bright red cardinal sitting in the mangrove bushes across the canal from me as I sat praying. He told me that His mercy is as wide as the sea while I quietly worshiped Him on board a cruise ship in a Norwegian Fjord. He speaks to Richie and me from the dark starry sky above the canal and our balcony in the Keys. The song, “God Will Take Care of You”, came to my spirit as I road my bike on Long Key’s bike path. I know that He “will take care of me through all the way, or all the day…God will take care of me”. He will speak to you too if you are seeking and listening.
The following glimpse of God’s presence touched my heart as I am sure it will touch yours. I received a phone call from my sister, Marlene, yesterday. Her friend, Ann, had passed away the previous night. Ann was told, less than a week ago, that there were no further treatments for her cancer. She chose to be placed on hospice. Her family and the hospice nurse were with her when she died. The priest came to be with her, and to bless her, and to comfort her family. My sister, an RN, was at her side and has been there for her and her family throughout the course of Ann’s illness. Everyone at the bedside looked out through the picture window in the room. A golden glow filled the view and was followed by the full arch of a vivid and vibrant rainbow in the evening sky. Everyone went outside to gaze on its beauty and its message. Neighbors, now all aware of Ann’s death, stood with her family in silent awe of the moment. God’s presence in the comfort and beauty of His rainbow was a spiritual revelation and a spiritual moment in the lives of each person present. God helped Ann tell each of them that she was at peace and her love would always be with them. This moment, and the recounting of God’s perfect timing, and His rainbow will continue to touch lives. He revealed Himself to everyone there. Ann’s life and the story of the miracle rainbow will live on, in all of our lives.
He is in his creation and in our consciousness. Be still. Listen. Take time to be less busy and purposefully look for Him and listen to Him. Seek Him. You will find Him. You will sense His still small voice within you. He will give you a feeling of peace when you are in His will. He will also do the opposite. When you have uneasiness about a situation or a decision in your life, give it some more time and greater consideration until you feel a sense of peace about your choices.
God reveals Himself in His Word. He tells us who He is, what He has done, and how we are to live. Find all of His promises and claim them for yourself. This is what He wants us to do. Search the scriptures for answers. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. As our faith grows, we develop a more intimate relationship with our Lord and Savior. Jesus is my friend and I continue to seek to have a closer walk with Him.
How have I responded to God?
I have looked for the Lord, and He has found me. I have responded to Him by saying “Yes, I believe”. “I am truly sorry for wrongdoings in my life”. “I receive Your love and forgiveness”. I have asked Jesus into my heart and have accepted Him as my Savior. I have made Him The Lord of My Life.
If you haven’t done the same, do it, and see what a difference He makes. He will walk with you and guide your life and choices? He sets us free and gives us a peace that passes understanding.
Let us keep learning, keep listening, keep seeking a deeper walk, and keep growing in The Lord.
Youth, idealism, temporary pleasure, and striving for lofty goals lead us into shallow successes. External happiness is experienced for awhile but doesn’t last.
Frequently we don’t even realize we have this internal need to investigate a deeper purpose for our existence until something or someone in our life has gone away. Humanly, we take for granted people and things we have in our lives, believing that they will always be there. Things or even people in our lives aren’t there forever.
As young men and women we depend on peers, activities, successes, and life around us to be, or to contribute to our personal happiness. When one depends on others or on circumstances for happiness, the happiness is only a fleeting reality.
Disappointments cause us to question ourselves, our goals, and our life purposes. Living life teaches us not to take ourselves so seriously. We learn how to laugh at ourselves and at our actions. When we finally begin searching for true meaning and value in our lives we realize that happiness is internal. We are responsible for our own happiness. We can be responsible for the care and comfort of others but we cannot be responsible for someone else’s happiness. Once we understand this, especially when we are dealing with difficult people in our lives, we are freed from a lot of pressure.
When striving and external pressures are lifted and when we are emptied of what we thought was important, we hopefully seek that which is important. Now God has the opportunity to fill us with Himself and things of value. As we seek, we will find. This He has promised to us in His Word.
How does God reveal Himself to us? We see Him in the beauty of His creation. His art work is magnificent. An artist creates his art. The Creator has created His creation. Contrary to what some would have you believe; we, and the world around us, are not mutations. God’s plan and design are perfect. We are fearfully and wonderfully made!
God has spoken to me in a rainbow around the moon in New Mexico. He made Himself known to my family and me in a falling star as we left church after a Christmas Eve service. He spoke to my heart in the chirping song of a bright red cardinal sitting in the mangrove bushes across the canal from me as I sat praying. He told me that His mercy is as wide as the sea while I quietly worshiped Him on board a cruise ship in a Norwegian Fjord. He speaks to Richie and me from the dark starry sky above the canal and our balcony in the Keys. The song, “God Will Take Care of You”, came to my spirit as I road my bike on Long Key’s bike path. I know that He “will take care of me through all the way, or all the day…God will take care of me”. He will speak to you too if you are seeking and listening.
The following glimpse of God’s presence touched my heart as I am sure it will touch yours. I received a phone call from my sister, Marlene, yesterday. Her friend, Ann, had passed away the previous night. Ann was told, less than a week ago, that there were no further treatments for her cancer. She chose to be placed on hospice. Her family and the hospice nurse were with her when she died. The priest came to be with her, and to bless her, and to comfort her family. My sister, an RN, was at her side and has been there for her and her family throughout the course of Ann’s illness. Everyone at the bedside looked out through the picture window in the room. A golden glow filled the view and was followed by the full arch of a vivid and vibrant rainbow in the evening sky. Everyone went outside to gaze on its beauty and its message. Neighbors, now all aware of Ann’s death, stood with her family in silent awe of the moment. God’s presence in the comfort and beauty of His rainbow was a spiritual revelation and a spiritual moment in the lives of each person present. God helped Ann tell each of them that she was at peace and her love would always be with them. This moment, and the recounting of God’s perfect timing, and His rainbow will continue to touch lives. He revealed Himself to everyone there. Ann’s life and the story of the miracle rainbow will live on, in all of our lives.
He is in his creation and in our consciousness. Be still. Listen. Take time to be less busy and purposefully look for Him and listen to Him. Seek Him. You will find Him. You will sense His still small voice within you. He will give you a feeling of peace when you are in His will. He will also do the opposite. When you have uneasiness about a situation or a decision in your life, give it some more time and greater consideration until you feel a sense of peace about your choices.
God reveals Himself in His Word. He tells us who He is, what He has done, and how we are to live. Find all of His promises and claim them for yourself. This is what He wants us to do. Search the scriptures for answers. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. As our faith grows, we develop a more intimate relationship with our Lord and Savior. Jesus is my friend and I continue to seek to have a closer walk with Him.
How have I responded to God?
I have looked for the Lord, and He has found me. I have responded to Him by saying “Yes, I believe”. “I am truly sorry for wrongdoings in my life”. “I receive Your love and forgiveness”. I have asked Jesus into my heart and have accepted Him as my Savior. I have made Him The Lord of My Life.
If you haven’t done the same, do it, and see what a difference He makes. He will walk with you and guide your life and choices? He sets us free and gives us a peace that passes understanding.
Let us keep learning, keep listening, keep seeking a deeper walk, and keep growing in The Lord.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
An Untitled Blog
I am starting this blog without a title. Right now my mind is a clean canvass. It is 5pm and I have been thinking all day about the ideas and the words which God would have me to use to touch someone’s life, or maybe my own. With a sense of obedience, I have promised The Lord that I would write a blog entry every 5 days. Today is the 5th day and midnight is my deadline. This is a self imposed deadline because I know that God would give me an extension. I take this commitment very seriously and am sure that the needed words will come.
Late this afternoon I had phone calls from both of my sisters. In different contexts we talked about hope. So I will start there. Jane is newly retired and will not be going back to a classroom and the little minds to be molded as she has done for years. With this major change in her life will come a sense of loss. I can identify with her as I had similar feelings when I retired from Nursing. Our professions become a part of who we are and what our purpose in life is. We cannot replace these parts of us but we can move on to new hopes, dreams, and purposes. It will be a process. We cannot let ourselves become stuck in grieving a loss or in the memories of what was.
Taking care of my family is now and always has been a very important purpose in my life. As the years fly by, I am so much more aware of how short life is. I don’t know when I will cross over into eternity but I want my life to be prepared for that day. I will be there for a much longer period of time than I am here. I truly believe that we are all spiritual beings on a physical journey. We all worry so much about what we will eat or drink or do today. God reminds me in Matthew 10:31 that I am worth much more than a sparrow. If He takes care of a sparrow, how much more will He take care of me!, and you! In my retirement, I have more time and an increased desire to feed my spirit and come into a closer walk with God. In Matthew 6:33 He instructs me to seek His kingdom first then everything else that I need, or even desire, will be added unto me. I am daily reminded of His blessings and favor in my life. The more I learn, the more I trust, and the more obedient I become, the bolder I grow in The Lord and in my faith. My hope is to live in Eternity with my Savior and those who I love. I cannot take any physical thing with me but I can share my faith and allow The Holy Spirit to convict the hearts of everyone I love so that we can be together always. I want to be bold, yet humble. I am so sure of what I believe but never want to come across as being arrogant. My authority is in The Word and in Christ.
At the end of this physical life the only part of our being which dies is the body. Our mind, intellect, and spirit live on. I believe that as we have purpose in this life, God will use us and all we have been taught now for a particular purpose in eternity. I want to be used by Him in this lifetime and throughout my life to come. I lift up a prayer of Thanksgiving; “Thank you Jesus for giving me the gift of faith. May what I am given and I am taught always be used to your glory”.
My sister Marlene and I spoke about her friend Ann who was just put on Home Hospice. Her hope has now changed from cure to comfort. As an oncology nurse, I have seen many patients’ hopes change with time as their disease progressed and their treatment was altered. I walked with my friend Heidi through a similar journey. I wrote about Heidi’s physical trial and faith journey in previous postings. Doctors, in each of their patient’s lives, have to carefully balance their conversations. They want to be truthful and realistic but not take away all hope from their patient. Only God has the time table on anyone’s life. Heidi always hoped and prayed for her physical healing. She wanted her testimony to be a witness for God in the lives of others going through similar trials. This was not to be, but she did write about her journey. Her testimony, her love, and her friendship will live on in each of us, who loved her, until we meet again. God grew her faith throughout her battle as she searched for meaning and for Him. Her hope changed from physical to spiritual. This should be the goal for each of us.
Oncology patients become very special people. Their diagnosis causes each one to face their own mortality. Each person seems more able to prioritize their life as they contemplate its physical end. God, others, and life itself are what is important. No longer are things and the trivia one use to worry about important. I believe that this is why Oncology Nurses gain a unique perspective on life itself. As we care for and become part of our patient’s journeys we become more compassionate and less able to personally have patience with trivia and unjustified complaining. We also prioritize our own lives. I didn’t choose to be an oncology nurse. It is where God placed me and grew me. I am grateful for all He has taught me through my own suffering and through the lives of others. Because I am not afraid to die, I am not afraid to live. I live in the hope of the Gospel, God’s Word, and God’s promises for today and I live with the hope of Eternity for tomorrow.
Late this afternoon I had phone calls from both of my sisters. In different contexts we talked about hope. So I will start there. Jane is newly retired and will not be going back to a classroom and the little minds to be molded as she has done for years. With this major change in her life will come a sense of loss. I can identify with her as I had similar feelings when I retired from Nursing. Our professions become a part of who we are and what our purpose in life is. We cannot replace these parts of us but we can move on to new hopes, dreams, and purposes. It will be a process. We cannot let ourselves become stuck in grieving a loss or in the memories of what was.
Taking care of my family is now and always has been a very important purpose in my life. As the years fly by, I am so much more aware of how short life is. I don’t know when I will cross over into eternity but I want my life to be prepared for that day. I will be there for a much longer period of time than I am here. I truly believe that we are all spiritual beings on a physical journey. We all worry so much about what we will eat or drink or do today. God reminds me in Matthew 10:31 that I am worth much more than a sparrow. If He takes care of a sparrow, how much more will He take care of me!, and you! In my retirement, I have more time and an increased desire to feed my spirit and come into a closer walk with God. In Matthew 6:33 He instructs me to seek His kingdom first then everything else that I need, or even desire, will be added unto me. I am daily reminded of His blessings and favor in my life. The more I learn, the more I trust, and the more obedient I become, the bolder I grow in The Lord and in my faith. My hope is to live in Eternity with my Savior and those who I love. I cannot take any physical thing with me but I can share my faith and allow The Holy Spirit to convict the hearts of everyone I love so that we can be together always. I want to be bold, yet humble. I am so sure of what I believe but never want to come across as being arrogant. My authority is in The Word and in Christ.
At the end of this physical life the only part of our being which dies is the body. Our mind, intellect, and spirit live on. I believe that as we have purpose in this life, God will use us and all we have been taught now for a particular purpose in eternity. I want to be used by Him in this lifetime and throughout my life to come. I lift up a prayer of Thanksgiving; “Thank you Jesus for giving me the gift of faith. May what I am given and I am taught always be used to your glory”.
My sister Marlene and I spoke about her friend Ann who was just put on Home Hospice. Her hope has now changed from cure to comfort. As an oncology nurse, I have seen many patients’ hopes change with time as their disease progressed and their treatment was altered. I walked with my friend Heidi through a similar journey. I wrote about Heidi’s physical trial and faith journey in previous postings. Doctors, in each of their patient’s lives, have to carefully balance their conversations. They want to be truthful and realistic but not take away all hope from their patient. Only God has the time table on anyone’s life. Heidi always hoped and prayed for her physical healing. She wanted her testimony to be a witness for God in the lives of others going through similar trials. This was not to be, but she did write about her journey. Her testimony, her love, and her friendship will live on in each of us, who loved her, until we meet again. God grew her faith throughout her battle as she searched for meaning and for Him. Her hope changed from physical to spiritual. This should be the goal for each of us.
Oncology patients become very special people. Their diagnosis causes each one to face their own mortality. Each person seems more able to prioritize their life as they contemplate its physical end. God, others, and life itself are what is important. No longer are things and the trivia one use to worry about important. I believe that this is why Oncology Nurses gain a unique perspective on life itself. As we care for and become part of our patient’s journeys we become more compassionate and less able to personally have patience with trivia and unjustified complaining. We also prioritize our own lives. I didn’t choose to be an oncology nurse. It is where God placed me and grew me. I am grateful for all He has taught me through my own suffering and through the lives of others. Because I am not afraid to die, I am not afraid to live. I live in the hope of the Gospel, God’s Word, and God’s promises for today and I live with the hope of Eternity for tomorrow.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The Little White Church
I retired from Huntington Hospital’s nursing staff in December 2007. It took me a long while to adjust to all of the changes that were happening in my life during that point in time. Retirement, selling our home in the Spring of 2008, moving from Long Island, relocating to Pennsylvania, and traveling between our new Pennsylvania home and Florida Key’s home caused me to feel very unsettled. Everything was going as planned and I was grateful but it wasn’t easy. I wrote the following account of an incident which happened in my life during that time. Now, August again, three years later, I would like to share those thoughts with you.
On a clear sunny day early in August 2007, I prayed for wisdom and the capacity to part with some “things” in my life. My husband, Richard and I were getting ready to downsize after 43 years of marriage and 35 years living in our present home. I trusted God to give me the ability to let go of so many memories through His strength (Philippians 4:13). I proceeded to pack up some boxes to bring to Good Will. It has been a process and I have already made a number of drop off trips. Today I was going through some items that had belonged to my mother, my mother-in-law, and my Aunt Carrie. I sorted through glasses, vases, and knickknacks and put them into boxes. These objects had special meaning to them during their lifetimes but now I knew that I had to pass them on. Someone will be able to use and enjoy them.
One item that I especially agonized over was a foot tall white plastic church. The cross on the steeple has been missing and its music box no longer played. I tried again to wind and unwind the little turning handle to no avail. I was having a difficult time. As I talked to the Lord, I put the little church into one of my boxes.
I have a habit of talking to myself when I’m not busy having a conversation with the Lord. I told myself, “I will bring the five packed boxes to St. Vincent de Paul instead of Good Will this time”. “Some one there will want and care for these items of past memories.” I loaded the boxes of donation items into the back seat of my Saab. I looked at the little white church again. “My, it is dusty!” I went back into the house, got a damp rag and dusted the church. I thought back to when my mother had received it from my cousin Gig when we lived in Brooklyn. My two sisters and I were young children. I tried again to coax the music to play. It remained silent. I placed it gently back into the box and proceeded to drive to my destination.
When I arrived at St. Vincent de Paul on Jericho Turnpike in Huntington two young men came down off of the truck delivery platform to help me. After the five boxes were placed on the platform one of the men looked at the church and said “This is so nice.” He picked it up out of the box and as he did “Silent Night” began to play sweetly and clearly. Tears came to my eyes and I knew that Mom was present with the Lord yet still present with me! It was a spiritual moment. God used a spiritual young man, a little white plastic church, and a sacred Christmas tune to give me a glimpse of His presence. The young man handed me the church saying “I think you should keep this.” I placed it back into my car and went back to get my donation receipt. Upon returning to my car the music was still playing and my emotional tears continued to flow. I called one of my sisters. I had to share my story. Our lives were touched. “Silent Night” continues to play and the little white church will continue to be part of my life.
On a clear sunny day early in August 2007, I prayed for wisdom and the capacity to part with some “things” in my life. My husband, Richard and I were getting ready to downsize after 43 years of marriage and 35 years living in our present home. I trusted God to give me the ability to let go of so many memories through His strength (Philippians 4:13). I proceeded to pack up some boxes to bring to Good Will. It has been a process and I have already made a number of drop off trips. Today I was going through some items that had belonged to my mother, my mother-in-law, and my Aunt Carrie. I sorted through glasses, vases, and knickknacks and put them into boxes. These objects had special meaning to them during their lifetimes but now I knew that I had to pass them on. Someone will be able to use and enjoy them.
One item that I especially agonized over was a foot tall white plastic church. The cross on the steeple has been missing and its music box no longer played. I tried again to wind and unwind the little turning handle to no avail. I was having a difficult time. As I talked to the Lord, I put the little church into one of my boxes.
I have a habit of talking to myself when I’m not busy having a conversation with the Lord. I told myself, “I will bring the five packed boxes to St. Vincent de Paul instead of Good Will this time”. “Some one there will want and care for these items of past memories.” I loaded the boxes of donation items into the back seat of my Saab. I looked at the little white church again. “My, it is dusty!” I went back into the house, got a damp rag and dusted the church. I thought back to when my mother had received it from my cousin Gig when we lived in Brooklyn. My two sisters and I were young children. I tried again to coax the music to play. It remained silent. I placed it gently back into the box and proceeded to drive to my destination.
When I arrived at St. Vincent de Paul on Jericho Turnpike in Huntington two young men came down off of the truck delivery platform to help me. After the five boxes were placed on the platform one of the men looked at the church and said “This is so nice.” He picked it up out of the box and as he did “Silent Night” began to play sweetly and clearly. Tears came to my eyes and I knew that Mom was present with the Lord yet still present with me! It was a spiritual moment. God used a spiritual young man, a little white plastic church, and a sacred Christmas tune to give me a glimpse of His presence. The young man handed me the church saying “I think you should keep this.” I placed it back into my car and went back to get my donation receipt. Upon returning to my car the music was still playing and my emotional tears continued to flow. I called one of my sisters. I had to share my story. Our lives were touched. “Silent Night” continues to play and the little white church will continue to be part of my life.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
God's Grace is Sufficient
I have found that when God wants to imprint a truth in my heart, He tells the truth to me in different ways through out my day or week. He did this for me last week. God told me in 2Corinthians 12:9: “My Grace is sufficient”. He wants me to hide this word in my heart so that it will be readily available for me when I need it.
In this scripture passage, God was responding to Paul who was praying to have an infirmary removed from his flesh. God always hears our prayers. He, sometimes, answers them in ways that we don’t understand at the time. When He doesn’t take away our pain or difficulty, He gives us the strength to face and walk through our problems.
In The New Living Translation, verses 8-10 relate Paul’s plea and God’s response: “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time He said to me ‘My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weakness, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite content with my weakness and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
As seen in the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, God views our actions differently than does the world. He honors a humble, loving spirit. Proverbs 8:10 says that fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. When we believe in, respect, and honor God, He gives us the gifts of the Spirit, enabling us to be strong in Him, not in our own flesh. We are in the world, not of the world. Knowing God and the scriptures give us a different, a Kingdom, perspective to our lives and our circumstances. When those who don’t understand where we are coming from look down at us or persecute us, God is our strength. His Grace is sufficient. I pray for wisdom and boldness in that knowledge.
God is the Great “I AM”. Because I believe HE IS, I pray for the strength to be obedient and to do what “I MUST”. As Christians, we are overcomers because of His power within us. We are sealed by The Holy Spirit. He will protect and defend those whom He seals. His Grace is sufficient, His Grace rests upon us, and His Grace reveals His Glory in and through us. 2Corinthians 4:7 says, “But this precious treasure - this light and power that now shines within us - is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own”.
Grace is the power of God to do for us, what we cannot do for ourselves. It is God’s unmerited favor in each of His children’s lives. We do not earn His grace nor do we deserve it. Grace is free. Salvation and Faith are God’s freely given gifts to us. God’s grace and the plan of Salvation in Christ is told throughout the scriptures. Ephesians 2:6-10 says, “In our union with Christ Jesus He raised us up with Him in the heavenly world. He did this to demonstrate for all time to come the extraordinary greatness of His grace in the love He showed us in Christ Jesus. For it is by God’s grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God’s gift, so that no one can boast about it. God has made us what we are, and in union with Christ Jesus He has created us for a life of good deeds, which He has already prepared for us to do”.
There is purpose in each of our lives. Have you yet discovered the good deeds which He has already planned for you? Let us be bold in our faith. Read God’s word, listen for His directions, stand out in faith and obedience, and see what He has planned for you. He rewards us and blesses us when we diligently seek Him. You can underestimate your own power, but never underestimate the sufficiency and power of His Grace within you.
HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT!
In this scripture passage, God was responding to Paul who was praying to have an infirmary removed from his flesh. God always hears our prayers. He, sometimes, answers them in ways that we don’t understand at the time. When He doesn’t take away our pain or difficulty, He gives us the strength to face and walk through our problems.
In The New Living Translation, verses 8-10 relate Paul’s plea and God’s response: “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time He said to me ‘My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weakness, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite content with my weakness and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
As seen in the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, God views our actions differently than does the world. He honors a humble, loving spirit. Proverbs 8:10 says that fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. When we believe in, respect, and honor God, He gives us the gifts of the Spirit, enabling us to be strong in Him, not in our own flesh. We are in the world, not of the world. Knowing God and the scriptures give us a different, a Kingdom, perspective to our lives and our circumstances. When those who don’t understand where we are coming from look down at us or persecute us, God is our strength. His Grace is sufficient. I pray for wisdom and boldness in that knowledge.
God is the Great “I AM”. Because I believe HE IS, I pray for the strength to be obedient and to do what “I MUST”. As Christians, we are overcomers because of His power within us. We are sealed by The Holy Spirit. He will protect and defend those whom He seals. His Grace is sufficient, His Grace rests upon us, and His Grace reveals His Glory in and through us. 2Corinthians 4:7 says, “But this precious treasure - this light and power that now shines within us - is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own”.
Grace is the power of God to do for us, what we cannot do for ourselves. It is God’s unmerited favor in each of His children’s lives. We do not earn His grace nor do we deserve it. Grace is free. Salvation and Faith are God’s freely given gifts to us. God’s grace and the plan of Salvation in Christ is told throughout the scriptures. Ephesians 2:6-10 says, “In our union with Christ Jesus He raised us up with Him in the heavenly world. He did this to demonstrate for all time to come the extraordinary greatness of His grace in the love He showed us in Christ Jesus. For it is by God’s grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God’s gift, so that no one can boast about it. God has made us what we are, and in union with Christ Jesus He has created us for a life of good deeds, which He has already prepared for us to do”.
There is purpose in each of our lives. Have you yet discovered the good deeds which He has already planned for you? Let us be bold in our faith. Read God’s word, listen for His directions, stand out in faith and obedience, and see what He has planned for you. He rewards us and blesses us when we diligently seek Him. You can underestimate your own power, but never underestimate the sufficiency and power of His Grace within you.
HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT!
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